5 years ago for my 34th Birthday I got my white Phoenix tattoo. It was both a reminder and a vow that when life burns you, you come back better than you were before. I had it done in white ink because I liked that is was subtle, that you would only notice it if you were close to me, and that it makes you do a double take. I didn’t know it at the time when I got the tattoo, but learning to handle setbacks gracefully and with peace has been both my biggest challenge and accomplishment. Birthdays tend to make you reflective as another year goes by, and over the last 5 years I’ve experienced the highest highs and lowest lows of my entire life. Over that time, I met my husband, sold my condo to combine lives with him, got married and we are expecting our first baby. I also started traveling internationally again and took separate trips to Italy, France, and Thailand. But I also lost my brother to suicide, dealt with infertility and all the challenges of <a href="https://glowing.com/glow-fertility-program">IVF</a>, and went through a career change to a completely different field, and am pregnant during a global pandemic. Through each experience, I’ve learned more about how I handle challenges and success. I’m finally able to filter out the noise and understand what is truly important, what is in my control, and when I have to let go. The 5 years since my birthday tattoo have taught me so much. It now has extra tan lines, freckles, and imperfections from time, but so do I. I’m proud to say that now when my plans burn down around me, I come back better, and more at peace with things than I ever have been. So cheers to 39 and new adventures with increased mental flexibility. Is this what they mean about getting older and wiser??? 😂 #whitetattoo #39yearsold #lifeafterloss #lifeafterinfertility #birthdayreflections #phoenixtattoo #thedifference5yearsmakes #gettingolder #gettingwiser #personalgrowth #personalgrowthjourney